Lighting systems incorporating acoustic apertures

Abstract

In accordance with various embodiments, lighting systems feature one or more panels each having multiple light-emitting elements thereon and one or more acoustic apertures. One or more of the panels may include sound-absorbing material therebelow and the light-emitting elements may be spaced apart to reveal the sound-absorbing material.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An acoustic lighting system comprising:
 a luminaire enclosure;   a first sound-absorbing material disposed within at least a portion of the luminaire enclosure, and having first and second opposing surfaces;   a plurality of light-emitting elements disposed over at least a portion of the first surface of the first sound-absorbing material within the lighting system enclosure and spaced apart from each other such that the first sound-absorbing material is exposed through gaps between the light-emitting elements; and   at least one optical diffuser spaced apart from the light-emitting elements,   wherein the luminaire enclosure has (i) at least one opening over which the at least one optical diffuser is disposed and (ii) at least one acoustic aperture not occluded by the at least one optical diffuser, and   wherein the at least one acoustic aperture is aligned to prevent a line of sight to the plurality of light-emitting elements from outside the luminaire enclosure.   
     
     
         2 . The acoustic lighting system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the light-emitting elements are disposed on a substrate; and   the substrate defines a plurality of openings between the light-emitting elements,   wherein the first sound-absorbing material is exposed through the openings.   
     
     
         3 . The acoustic lighting system of  claim 2 , wherein the substrate is flexible. 
     
     
         4 . The acoustic lighting system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one said acoustic aperture has an acoustic transmission greater than 25%. 
     
     
         5 . The acoustic lighting system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one said acoustic aperture has an acoustic transmission greater than 50%. 
     
     
         6 . The acoustic lighting system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one optical diffuser has an optical transmissivity greater than 25% for a wavelength of light emitted by at least one of the light-emitting elements. 
     
     
         7 . The acoustic lighting system of  claim 1 , wherein the first sound-absorbing material comprises at least one of fiberglass, sound-absorbing foam, mineral wool, mineral fiber, acoustic fleece, polyester, polyester felt, polyethylene terephthalate, acoustic ceiling tile, or fiberglass foam. 
     
     
         8 . The acoustic lighting system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one acoustic aperture is configured to prevent passage of light from within the lighting enclosure. 
     
     
         9 . The acoustic lighting system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one acoustic aperture comprises an array of through-holes. 
     
     
         10 . The acoustic lighting system of  claim 9 , wherein (i) the at least one optical diffuser has a first area, (ii) the at least one acoustic aperture has a second area comprising a total area of all through-holes, and (iii) a percentage ratio of the second area to the first area is at least 0.2%. 
     
     
         11 . The acoustic lighting system of  claim 9 , wherein (i) the at least one optical diffuser has a first area, (ii) the at least one acoustic aperture has a second area comprising a total area of all through-holes, and (iii) a percentage ratio of the second area to the first area is at least 1%. 
     
     
         12 . The acoustic lighting system of  claim 9 , wherein (i) the at least one optical diffuser has a first area, (ii) the at least one acoustic aperture has a second area comprising a total area of all through-holes, and (iii) a percentage ratio of the second area 25 to the first area is within the range of about 0.1% to about 5%. 
     
     
         13 . The acoustic lighting system of  claim 9 , wherein (i) the at least one optical diffuser has a first area, (ii) the at least one acoustic aperture has a second area comprising a total area of all through-holes, and (iii) a percentage ratio of the second area to the first area is within the range of about 0.2% to about 2%. 
     
     
         14 . The acoustic lighting system of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one acoustic aperture comprises (i) a total surface area comprising (a) a total area comprising a sum of areas of all of the through-holes and (b) a total area of the acoustic aperture less the sum of areas of all of the through-holes and (ii) a percentage ratio of the sum of the areas of all of the through-holes to the total area of the acoustic aperture less the sum of areas of all of the through-holes is at least 25%. 
     
     
         15 . The acoustic lighting system of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one acoustic aperture comprises (i) a total surface area comprising (a) a total area comprising a sum of areas of all of the through-holes and (b) a total area of the acoustic aperture less the sum of areas of all of the through-holes and (ii) a percentage ratio of the sum of the areas of all of the through-holes to the total area of the acoustic aperture less the sum of areas of all of the through-holes is at least 50%. 
     
     
         16 . The acoustic lighting system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one acoustic aperture is coplanar with the optical diffuser. 
     
     
         17 . The acoustic lighting system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one acoustic aperture is configured for mounting or attachment of at least a portion of the at least one optical diffuser. 
     
     
         18 . The acoustic lighting system of  claim 16 , wherein (i) the at least one acoustic aperture has a first side and a second side opposite the first side, (ii) at least a portion of the first side is configured for mounting or attachment of at least a portion of the at least one optical diffuser, and (iii) at least a portion of the second side is configured for attachment or mounting to at least one of a wall or ceiling. 
     
     
         19 . The acoustic lighting system of  claim 16 , wherein (i) the at least one optical diffuser comprises at least a first portion and a second portion, (i) the at least one acoustic aperture has a first side and a second side opposite the first side, (iii) at least a portion of the first side is configured for mounting or attachment of at least a portion of the first portion, and (iv) at least a portion of the second side is configured for mounting or attachment of at least a portion of the second portion. 
     
     
         20 . The acoustic lighting system of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the at least one acoustic aperture is configured to be attached to a wall or another vertical surface. 
     
     
         21 . The acoustic lighting system of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the at least one acoustic aperture is configured to be attached to a ceiling or another horizontal surface. 
     
     
         22 . The acoustic lighting system of  claim 1 , further comprising a second sound-absorbing material positioned behind the at least one acoustic aperture. 
     
     
         23 . The acoustic lighting system of  claim 22 , wherein the second sound-absorbing material is positioned substantially perpendicular to the face of the at least one acoustic aperture. 
     
     
         24 . The acoustic lighting system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one optical diffuser comprises at least one of a fabric optical diffuser or a PVC optical diffuser. 
     
     
         25 . The acoustic lighting system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one acoustic aperture is configured for mounting of additional ceiling elements. 
     
     
         26 . The acoustic lighting system of  claim 25 , wherein additional ceiling elements comprise at least one of track lights, spot lights, wall washer lights, linear lights, camera, fire sprinkler heads, heating and air conditioning ducts, microphones, or wireless radio access points. 
     
     
         27 . The acoustic lighting system of  claim 1 , further comprising, extending from the luminaire enclosure, means for suspending the lighting system from a wall or ceiling. 
     
     
         28 . The acoustic lighting system of  claim 1 , further comprising, disposed on the luminaire enclosure, means for attaching the lighting system to a wall or ceiling.